99 



in good shape, and its condition is nearly 100. Apples bloomed 90 

 per cent. We have had a number of hard frosts ia this valley of 

 late, but not much damage has been done, although apples were in- 

 jured iu some cases. More rain would be acceptable. Tent cater- 

 pillars have never been so plentiful. Their nests have been de- 

 stroyed by some of the fanners. Twenty per c^nt of the planting 

 has been done, which is not quite as much as the average on ac- 

 count of the cold weather. But very little hii-ed help is emploj-ed 

 in this town. Wages paid are $20 and up per month with board 

 and !f1.oO upwards per day without board. Much interest is taken 

 in poultry raising. 



BeUhertoxKn (A. L. Pratt). — The present is a normal season. 

 Pastures, mowings and fall seeding are in normal condition. Fall 

 seeding wintered well. The bloom of fruits was : apples, 80 : pears, 

 iDO; peaches, 90; plums, SO; small fruits, 100. Nearly all fruits 

 except apples suffered from frosts. The codling moth is doing the 

 most damage. Spring planting is 50 per cent done; this is the 

 nonnal amount. Help is scarce; 50 per cent may be called good 

 help. The average wages paid farm help are: with board, $24 per 

 month; without board, $1.50 per day. Fai-mei-s are gradually in- 

 stalling machinery. 



Hampdex County, 



Blandford (Exos T. Boise). — The season commenced early and 

 until May was fully two weeks early. Pastures and mowings are 

 looking extra well. All fruits bloomed full. Small fruits, early 

 apples and peai"s have suffered from frosts, but it is hard as yet 

 to tell the amount of damage done. Tent caterpillars seem to cover 

 every tree and bush, but have been removed from fruit trees gen- 

 erally. The gi-ound has been mostly prepared for planting. Only 

 20 per cent has been done, however, as many are holding off on 

 account of the cold weathei*. Fann help is veiy scarce, and only 10 

 per cent is reliable. Wages are high, running from $1.75 to $2 

 per day of eight houi"S Avithout board, and averaging $30 per mouth 

 with board. One or two farmers are having fair success with alfalfa. 

 Birds are scarce. 



Fussell (E. D. Parks). — The season was farther advanced than 

 normally until the oceun'ence of heavy frosts. The condition of 

 pastures and mo\\-ing is 85 ; of fall seeding, 95. This wintered well, 

 AU fruits bloomed full, but most of them suffered from frosts. 

 Tent caterpillai-s and cuiTant woi-ms appear to be doing the most 

 hai-m. Planting is behind the average; only 50 per cent has been 

 done. Farm help is scarce; 50 per cent is good help. The average 

 wages paid are: with board, per month, .$25; without board, per 

 day, $2. More fruit trees and small fruits have been set out than 

 eommouly. We need rain and warm weather. 



